Derrill Yaeger

1927 - 2010

DERRILL E. YAEGER Derrill E. Yaeger, a prominent local attorney, quietly passed away on Sunday, September 5, 2010 in Riverside after a long illness. He was born on April 2, 1927 in Lincoln, Nebraska at the age of 83. Derrill leaves his wife of 59 years, Francee, daughter Neddi, daughter-in-law Andrea and grandchildren Jacqueline, Elizabeth, Emily and Adam. Derrill\'s son, Kurt Yaeger, also a local attorney, recently and sadly preceded him in death. Derrill practiced business and real estate law and was a principal shareholder with the Corona firm of Clayson, Mann, Yaeger & Hansen for 45 years. He was an expert in land use law and a leader in Inland Empire real estate development. The cities of Corona, Riverside and Beaumont all carry his legacy of well-planned residential and commercial development. Derrill represented a diverse clientele in the course of his career, ranging from the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, La Sierra University and Loma Linda University to 3M Corporation, the Bren Company, and entertainer Desi Arnaz. He was known for his careful and comprehensive preparation, often beginning his workday at 4:00 a.m. Derrill was a creative deal-maker and tactician, respected by clients and adversaries alike for his fierce but ethical advocacy, sage counsel and remarkable powers of persuasion. Corona This Month, the former Corona Chamber of Commerce Publication referred to Derrill as "the Perry Mason of zoning law" in an article about his success in representing landowners before the Corona City Council. Corona voters established a moratorium on major land development during the 1970s to preserve much of the city\'s lands for an agricultural use that increasingly lacked economic viability. Derrill was a leader in the effort to have the moratorium lifted. He organized the South Corona Developer\'s Consortium to plan the development of the former citrus groves in the area south of Ontario Avenue into a thriving, attractive community with good roads, schools and parks. La Sierra University closed its agriculture program in the early 1980\'s and was looking for a productive use of its farmland. Derrill\'s vision and energy led the transformation of the University\'s surplus property into the beautiful Riverwalk development, creating a new southern gateway into the City of Riverside and a major boost to the endowment of the University. Derrill worked tirelessly on the planning and land use changes necessary for Riverwalk for over ten years. Thanks to his effort, the specific plan for the project passed the City Council with no opposition. Loma Linda University owned approximately 300 acres of sheep pasture south of Interstate 10 in Beaumont. Derrill led out in the effort to plan and market that property for development resulting in the successful mixed use development that includes homes, a shopping center, the California Highway Patrol office, and the new Highland Springs Medical Plaza, again providing support for the Loma Linda University endowment. Derrill\'s advice was sought by a number of other colleges and universities in the development of their campus properties. Law was really a second career for Derrill. After attending high school at La Sierra Academy, he served in the Army Medical Corps as a surgeon\'s assistant in World War II. Benefiting from the G.I. Bill, he graduated with his business degree from what was then La Sierra College in 1950. Derrill went on to be the founding manager of the Alumni Association of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, opening FM radio station KDUO for the Association. Derrill resigned from the Alumni Association to attend law school at the University of Southern California. He attended school at night and worked during the day as an investigator for the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney. He received his Juris Doctorate in 1963, passed the California bar, and joined the law firm then known as Clayson, Stark, Rothrock and Mann. Derrill quickly developed a reputation for hard-work and a flair for deal-making. Musician and television star Desi Arnaz and his wife Lucille Ball owned a horse ranch in Corona and Arnaz hired Derrill as his personal attorney. This representation continued for many years. Derrill was a member of the Corona Lion\'s Club. He served for many years as a board member and counsel to Corona Community Hospital and the Versacare Corporation and later the Versacare Foundation. Derrill was a member of the Loma Linda University Board for 16 years. He was elected to the presidency of the La Sierra College Alumni Association and was honored as alumnus of the year for the College which had become part of Loma Linda University at that time. La Sierra University named its new entrance drive, "Yaeger Way", in his honor. Derrill was active in planning for the 100th anniversary celebration of the law firm of Clayson, Mann, Yaeger and Hansen to be celebrated later this year. He will be greatly missed. Derrill was an avid golfer. He was a long-time member of the Victoria Club in Riverside, serving as Club President in 1994 ~ 1995, the year the new clubhouse was built. He was especially proud that son Kurt Yaeger was also the Victoria Club President for 2005-2006, a rare father-son honor. Derrill quietly but effectively worked to open the ethnic and religious diversity of the Club. Francee was Derrill\'s true partner for life. Their devotion to each other and their children and grandchildren was a shining example of placing family first and seeking balance in one\'s personal and professional life. Spending time with his family is what gave Derrill the most joy. He cherished his time playing golf with his son, spending time with Neddi and the grandchildren, and scheduling family vacations. The highlight of his week was catching up with everyone during regular Sunday night family dinners. Seventh-day Adventist higher education was a particular interest of Derrill\'s. Francee and Derrill were generous donors to both La Sierra University and Loma Linda University. In recognition of his tireless work on behalf of Loma Linda University, Derrill was honored with the "Humanitarian of the Year" award at the Loma Linda University graduation in May of 2000. Most recently, Derrill was an enthusiastic supporter of the campaign to build a new facility for the La Sierra University School of Business. Derrill was an active mentor to many young attorneys to whom he stressed the careful preparation and high ethical standards that were his hallmark. He participated in the recruitment and hiring of most of the current attorneys at Clayson, Mann, Yaeger & Hansen. He could be passionate in the advocacy of a cause, but was truly a very kind and compassionate man. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues whom he continued to join for lunch each week after his retirement. A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 12 at the Loma Linda University Church of Seventh-day Adventists, 11125 Campus Street, Loma Linda, CA 92354. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Derrill\'s life, career and commitment to Adventist education, a scholarship endowment has been established in the YAEGER name at La Sierra University. Please direct gifts to: La Sierra University, Office of University Advancement, 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, CA 92515.